Conservative groups gather near Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun

Pro-reform candlelight group marches to Supreme Court

Rally marks three years of conflict in Gaza

Street festival parade held in Gangnam

Participants wave Palestinian flags and banners from various organizations at a rally condemning three years of Israeli military operations in Gaza, held near Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Saturday afternoon. [Yonhap]
Participants wave Palestinian flags and banners from various organizations at a rally condemning three years of Israeli military operations in Gaza, held near Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Saturday afternoon. [Yonhap]

Large-scale rallies took place across central Seoul on Saturday, National Foundation Day.

The Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held a rally titled the "Oct. 3 Gwanghwamun National Assembly for the Resignation of the Lee Jae Myung Administration" along Sejong-daero in front of the Dongwha duty-free store, starting at 1 p.m. Police informally estimated the crowd at 28,000.

Participants carrying South Korean and American flags held signs reading "Lee Jae Myung, step down" and "Lee Jae Myung, stand trial," chanting slogans including "fraudulent election" and "Yoon again." From 4 p.m., they marched along Saemunnan-ro and Jahamun-ro toward Singyo intersection.

The People Power Party also held a rally in front of Sungnyemun from 3 p.m., staging an outdoor demonstration under the banner "National Action Rally for Judging the Lee Jae Myung Administration, Restoring Livelihoods and Protecting National Security." About 9,000 people attended, including sitting Assembly members, regional party chapter heads, local lawmakers, party members and party officials.

A coalition called "Korean Civil Society Emergency Action in Solidarity with Palestine" held a "No Israel, Stop Genocide" rally in front of Bosingak. About 1,000 people gathered and marched from Bosingak toward Gwanghwamun.

The progressive-leaning Candlelight Action group held its 210th candlelight march near the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu from 5 p.m., calling for the immediate investigation of Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae, whom they described as "the last stronghold of insurrection forces."

Meanwhile, the 2026 Gangnam Festival was held in the Gangnam area, centered on Dosan-daero. A large street parade was scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

All lanes in both directions on the roughly 500-meter stretch between Dosan Park intersection and Hakdong intersection were closed from midnight Saturday, with traffic restrictions set to continue until 5 a.m. Monday.


keg@heraldcorp.com